Jonathan Law graduates upbeat

John Burgeson

Updated 12:06 am, Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Graduate Tori Vergara gets a hug from her friend Asia Coby, after the conclusion of Jonathan Law High School's Class of 2014 Graduation Ceremony in Milford, Conn. on Tuesday June 17, 2014.
Photo: Christian Abraham

Teacher Tracy Turcotte, center, poses for a selfie with students Ciara Hayden and Josh Paton, before the start of Jonathan Law High School's Class of 2014 Graduation Ceremony in Milford, Conn. on Tuesday June 17, 2014.

A graduate shoots silly string around his fellow classmates at the conclusion of Jonathan Law High School's Class of 2014 Graduation Ceremony in Milford, Conn. on Tuesday June 17, 2014.
Photo: Christian Abraham

Graduate Kurt Holden raises his arms as he is called to get his diploma, during Jonathan Law High School's Class of 2014 Graduation Ceremony in Milford, Conn. on Tuesday June 17, 2014.
Photo: Christian Abraham

Teacher Tracy Turcotte snaps a photo of students Ciara Hayden and Josh Paton, before the start of Jonathan Law High School's Class of 2014 Graduation Ceremony in Milford, Conn. on Tuesday June 17, 2014.
Photo: Christian Abraham

Sean Rice writes on the back windshield of his friend and graduate Mark Tighe's car, before the start of Jonathan Law High School's Class of 2014 Graduation Ceremony in Milford, Conn. on Tuesday June 17, 2014.
Photo: Christian Abraham

Smoking a celebratory cigar, graduate Scott Ponelli poses for photos with his brother Eric and grandfather Tom, after the conclusion of Jonathan Law High School's Class of 2014 Graduation Ceremony in Milford, Conn. on Tuesday June 17, 2014.
Photo: Christian Abraham

Graduate Vicki Toth marches with her fellow students onto the field at the start of Jonathan Law High School's Class of 2014 Graduation Ceremony in Milford, Conn. on Tuesday June 17, 2014.
Photo: Christian Abraham

Graduate Vicki Toth gets a hug from her friend Asia Coby, after the conclusion of Jonathan Law High School's Class of 2014 Graduation Ceremony in Milford, Conn. on Tuesday June 17, 2014.
Photo: Christian Abraham

MILFORD -- Demonstrating wisdom beyond their years, the newly minted graduates who spoke at Tuesday's Jonathan Law High School commencement chose not to dwell on the horrific events of April 25, but instead offered messages of hope, friendship and even a bit of humor.

This was clearly a different high school than what is was two months ago, when just about everyone and everything was bedecked in purple, the favorite color of junior Maren Sanchez, the victim of a knife attack in a hallway minutes before the start of classes.

On Monday, that color was all but absent as the graduating class seemed ready to put the tragedy in perspective and look to the opportunities that would come their way.

"Our futures are so bright, no wonder you're all wearing sunglasses," beamed class president Michelle Novak. "I can assure you we will change the future for the better. We are on our way to begin a thrilling new story."

Soumya Kundu, the Yale Book Prize winner and the class valedictorian, offered a similar message.

"Let's have our voices heard -- let's leave our permanent mark," he said. "There are an infinite number of innovations and discoveries yet to be made in every field imaginable. Recall the words of astrophysicist Carl Sagan: `We make our world significant by the courage of our questions and the depth of our answers.' "

Kundu added that one Law High tradition won't be missed -- the Friday evening calls from Principal Fran Thompson.

Kundu offered an oblique reference to the Sanchez tragedy.

"For the members of the Law community, in this extremely tough year, we have proven the indomitable strength of our character by uniting in a show of solidarity against the hardships that we faced," he said.

Milford Schools Superintendent Elizabeth Feser praised the students for their maturity in the days and weeks after the "unspeakable tragedy," and she urged the group to continue to look to each other for strength.

"Every one of you came through this together," she said, "and today our community is stronger because of it. Carry the spirit of Milford with you as you grow in your journey."

Thompson suggested that the graduates take their roles seriously as they move on to adulthood.

"You have to teach more than you want to be a teacher. You have to heal more than you want to be a doctor," he said. "Fall in love with the process and the results will follow."

He said the graduating class' members are more capable than they might think.

"You have reached the wonderful and terrifying moment in which you must be your own guide," Thompson said. "We have a lot of problems in this world, and we will need you to think outside the box."

Novak offered a closing movie quote that fit the occasion.

"I would like to offer this quote from Leonardo DiCaprio's Jack Dawson character in the movie `Titanic' -- `I figure life's a gift and I don't intend on wasting it. You don't know what hand you're going to be dealt next. You have to take life as it comes at you -- and make each day count.' "

Diplomas were awarded to 258 seniors. The ceremony took place on the football field.